© Crown copyright and database rights (2019) OS Licence 100035409

3BOTH SIDES OF THE VALLEY

7.9m 4 hrs moderate

ELHAMW

AL

K

elhamvalleywalkers.co.uk/elham-walks

The woods on this walk are beautiful all year round and there are great views along the valley as you head back towards Elham. Allow plenty of time, especially if you plan to stop off at the Elham Valley Vineyard café.

BOTH SIDES OF THE VALLEY

elhamvalleywalkers.co.uk/elham-walks

3At T junction TL and immediately TR to 6. take signed FP. Walk on left side of field under the trees. Enter woods through KG. Follow well defined path for 350m to next waymarker post. TR and continue straight on where FP crosses the bridleway. Cross straight over forest track and follow FP down into the woods to the road. TR along the road (Elham Valley Way sign).

TL to follow FP (Elham Valley Way) along 7. the narrow lane which becomes a track to Red Oak Cottage on left. Squeeze through gap on left if gate closed. At small gate TR and follow FP across the field. Turn diagonally left (still on the FP) 40m before the boundary to enter woods through a small gate. Continue downhill in the wood passing through four gates to join the lane. Little Breach Farm on right.

At this point there is an option to detour • for a break at the Elham Valley Vineyard Café. TL and walk 150m along the road.

At T junction cross road WITH CARE 8. to take the bridleway through two small gates. Walk diagonally right across field to pass through large gate. Follow the bridleway taking the right hand fork then bear left towards the transmitter mast ahead. Step over sleeper by large gate then through next gate.

Take St Mary’s Road from The Square, TR 1. onto the High Street and head up the hill to the junction with Park Lane. Cross the road (take care!) and pass through KG on the corner (waymark sign) into field. Walk diagonally across to the small sports pavilion then continue up the road ahead.

In 150m TL through KG into field and 2. follow path diagonally uphill via waymarker. Pass through KG at the top, TL and follow the road past Park Gate (former residence of Anthony Eden) and further on bear right at the grass triangle.

After 500m pass through large steel gate 3. on L (beware fingers when closing!) and follow path with hedge on your left. In 250m leave hedge and continue across field (joining another hedge on your RH side) to the wood at the far boundary.

Enter the wood and continue straight 4. (fence to right) following yellow markers. TL at multi stemmed Ash tree and follow the path down the hill via steps to road.

TR then at junction TL. In 40m TL onto 5. signed FP via KG. Go through next KG into field and walk straight on uphill to small gate. Walk with fence on right to next gate. Follow enclosed path and over stile to road. TL eventually passing Charcoal Farm on left.

DIRECTIONS(ROUTE RUNS CLOCKWISE)

FP - Footpath TR - Turn rightKG - Kissing gate TL - Turn left

BOTH SIDES OF THE VALLEY

elhamvalleywalkers.co.uk/elham-walks

3Bear right onto byway and in 800m at the 9. road junction TR, then in another 250m TL. TL just before Ox Barn and TR over stile to follow waymark sign with the fence on your left. Where the fence turns sharp left continue over the field towards stile (there is a tall dead tree not far from the left of the stile).

Cross the stile and as you come out into 10. the open you’ll see the spire of Elham church to the left. Head towards it and you will see waymarkers showing the way down the hill to join the EVW. The hamlet of North Elham is ahead of you, TR through KG just after a water trough towards the red brick house. Pass through a small gate and at the road TR and then L at the waymark sign through a KG.

Follow the EVW with the fence always 11. on your right, through another KG, and as you pass along the long line of poplars alongside the stream (the ‘Nailbourne’) take the first small gate on the right. Follow defined path diagonally left across the field to small gate, then on via Cock Lane to The Square (and the pub!)

DIRECTIONS(ROUTE RUNS CLOCKWISE)

We hope you have enjoyed your walk. We • endeavour to maintain our rights of way – if you have encountered any problems or errors in the route we would be pleased to hear from you.

FP - Footpath TR - Turn rightKG - Kissing gate TL - Turn left